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Who Is Not The Blues 4:160:00/4:16
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Swami Lama Blues 3:380:00/3:38
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Photo by Jeff Smith
“Paul Shaffer is one of the most important musical figures in late-night history...“From ‘SNL’ to Letterman, he’s done it all"
- Jimmy Fallon in Variety
“It’s the rarest of musicians who fulfill their potential while remaining in their hometowns. But Jamaaladeen Tacuma is an exemplar for how to turn what could be a liability — rootedness — into success. How he’s done it: First, there’s the world class musicianship of a bassist who at age 19 joined Ornette Coleman’s challenging, electrically charged groups and stayed with them for 11 years…”
- Jazz Journalist Association
Sounds
The Quantum Blues Quartet, an avant-funk quartet, is comprised of artists Tisziji Muñoz, Will Calhoun, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and Paul Shaffer.
Spirit-taught, avant-garde jazz virtuoso and extreme guitarist, Tisziji Muñoz is best known for his uniquely original guitar sound and playing style, likened to that of a spiritual tornado. Born on July 15, 1946, his career has spanned over five decades and includes a vast repertoire of creative works and inspired compositions released by his independent label, Anami Music. Tisziji has received unqualified praise from such artists and fellow collaborators as Rashied Ali, Paul Shaffer, Pharoah Sanders, John Medeski, McCoy Tyner, Dave Liebman, Henry Kaiser and Ra Kalam Bob Moses.
Will Calhoun is a Graduate of the Berklee College of Music where he received his Bachelor's degree in Recording and Engineering; and was the recipient of the prestigious Buddy Rich Jazz Masters Award for outstanding performance by a drummer. Berklee has recently awarded Will with their coveted “Alumni achievement award” for outstanding contributions to the World of music. Will is also a two time Grammy winner with the genre bending iconic Rock band LIVING COLOUR.
Will has Produced Herb Alpert—(Colors CD), Mos Def…Yasiin Bey (Black Jack Johnson Project). He has toured and recorded with Harry Belafonte, B.B. King, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tuner, Ron Carter, Reggie Workman, Marcus Miller, Bobby Watson, Oumou Sangare, Joe Lavano, Phillip Glass, Paul Simon, Nona Hendryx, Lauryn Hill, Stanley Jordan, Christian McBride, Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def, Public Enemy, Jaco Pastorius, The Moroccan Gnawan Masters, Rock icon Mick Jagger, and many others.
Will’s 25 years of combined research in West Africa, Central and South America, The Outback of Australia, and certainly the streets of New York City (studying/receiving invaluable tips from jazz greats Horacee Arnold, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Lou Donaldson, and Roy Haynes, while producing and recording with Hip Hop pioneer’s) has created a unique forward thinking comprehensive approach to Jazz for young and older Jazz fans.
Artist, producer, musician and composer Jamaaladeen Tacuma spent his youth sporting on the back dirt roads of Whiteville and has since traveled the world as a renowned and supremely versatile master of the electric bass guitar. In the 1970's, his creatively free approach caught the ear of saxophonist Ornette Coleman and he became a member of Coleman's Prime Time. His work is heard on some of Coleman's historic recordings: "Dancing In Your Head," "Body Meta," and “Of Human Feelings.” Tacuma has since lent his bona fides as a jazz force to the work of Pharoah Sanders and Grover Washington Jr. As Band Leader he has produced over 18 studio albums and has appeared on countless albums as as a producer and “side man”. His Power trio with Vernon Reid and G Calvin weston has recorded 3 studio albums. As producer he released The Last Poets most recent studio album Transcending Toxic Times. As his career evolved, Tacuma found himself right at home in music whether the genre be R&B, Soul, World Music, Classical, Hip-hop, Pop, Country, Experimental — or a collaboration with a classical symphony, Alpine brass band, Korean traditional drum ensemble, or Moroccan Gnawa group. He has shared stages with Sting, Sheryl Crow, The Roots, Marc Ribot, Brad Paisley, Jeff Beck, Derek Bailey, Carlos Santana, Peter Murphy, and Dave Matthews among others. Tacuma is a standing member of Super Soul Banned, a group assembled by Rolling Stone drummer Steve Jordan, rubbing shoulders with the glitterati at the annual Fox Gala (Michael J. Fox's annual fundraiser for Parkinson's research). He has toured and collaborated with the legendary Australian kids music group The Wiggles. His song "Play the Bass Guitar" written for the massively popular kid's TV show The Wiggles, won an Aria award nomination. Tacuma is a brand ambassador for Aguilar Amplification, Korg, LaBella Strings, and Jam Pedals. In the past decade Tacuma has been recognized for his artist excellence with numerous awards and accolades including The Marcus Garvey Foundation 50th Anniversary Award, The Pew Arts & Heritage Fellowship, Philadelphia’s Benny Golson Award and Liberty Bell Medal, Jazz Journalist Association “Philadelphia Jazz Hero Award”, and South Arts Creative Residency Grant to name a few.
For 33 years Paul Shaffer served as David Letterman's musical director and bandleader. Paul began his career in 1972 as musical director of the Toronto production of "Godspell." He spent five years with the original "Saturday Night Live," where he played keyboards, composed special musical material and, in 1980, became a featured performer. He served as musical director for the Blues Brothers for their triple platinum album and national tour. He served as musical director and producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the first 35 years. He led the band for the "We Are the World" finale of Live Aid. In addition to recording his own albums, Shaffer has recorded with such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Yoko Ono and Robert Plant's Honeydrippers. In 2002, he received his first Grammy, Best Country Instrumental, for the Earl Scruggs and Friends album. His recent series, “Paul Shaffer Plus One” aired on AXS-TV with guests including Joe Walsh, Donald Fagen, Graham Nash, Buddy Guy, and Smokey Robinson, the extended radio version aired on SiriusXM. Shaffer appeared as “Skeleton” on the second season of The Masked Singer. Shaffer holds two honorary doctorate degrees, was inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and awarded a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Paul is a recipient of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honor.